Summer Fun!

I'm sorry it has been so long since I've posted anything. My goal is to post more often now that th girls are back in school. Here's a quick recap of why I didn't post anything over the summer...we were too busy having FUN! Hope your summer was great too!

More Teacher Gifts--Friday

So, this was my FAVORITE day...it was "bring a flower". I didn't want to send a live flower...who knew if they'd have a place to put it, and I didn't want to send a plant...too hard to know if they even liked plants. Plus, I couldn't really see the girls getting on the bus looking like florists delivering flowers. So, the next best thing is card stock!! I stamped daisies on the fronts of note cards, made matching envelopes, and used floral tape to wrap the flower stem around the base of an ink pen. It's all tied together with matching curly ribbon. It made for a quick and easy gift all the while accomplishing the requirement to "bring a flower"!

More Teacher Gifts--Thursday

Thursday was "bring a drink" day. We fixed the drinks with some salty snacks and tied it all up in a cello bag...except for Mrs. Webster's...her salty snacks (chips) were too big for the cello bags.

More Teacher Gifts--Wednesday

The girls had to draw a picture for the teachers for Wednesday's gifts. You wouldn't believe how many rough drafts it took to get these pictures done.

In another note, notice the girls' hair...ugh! NEVER, EVER go to Great Clips 15 minutes before closing on a Saturday evening. Laura's simply got whacked off about 2 inches shorter than we intended. Ellen's got cut completely lopsided...one side was a full inch and a half longer than the other. The back of Ellen's was supposedly "layered" but it looked more like it was weed-whacked. For the record, it wasn't my idea to get their hair cut at that time...I had said we'd wait until Monday, but they begged. :(

More Teacher Treats--Tuesday

Tuesday was "snack day" for teachers. I loved putting together these gifts. It was like a scavenger hunt to try to find all the different candies that either had chocolate/mint or chocolate/caramel and/or coconut. YUM! And, of course, I had to make special boxes or wrappers or toppers for the packaging. It was lots of fun!

More Teacher Gifts--Monday

In addition to what we did from the PTA for Teacher Appreciation Week, each day was something different for kids to do for their teachers. Here's the card I used for Monday, which was "write a note to your teacher." I wrote all three of the girls' teachers notes...we have the BEST teachers this year. Both Ellen and Laura love school, look forward to going each day, and are learning lots...what more could you ask for?!?!

Teacher Appreciation Week continued

On each day of Teacher Appreciation Week, in addition to the food treats, we also had a hand-stamped gift for the teachers. By the end of the week they had a whole assortment of office supplies that all color coordinated.

Monday--flower paper clips

Tuesday--note pad and matching pen

Wednesday-- binder clips

Thursday--animal crackers in cute box (no office supplies)

Friday--note cards with matching envelopes

Teacher Appreciation Week

As many of you know, Teacher Appreciation Week was a busy time for the Sendera Ranch PTA! Here are a few of the projects we did for the teachers. We started out on the Friday before handing out "suitcases" with itineraries of each of the activities that would be happening. You can see the Creamy Caramel suitcase with the personalized luggage tag in the open and shut view. Then, the other images that are around it are what was in the pocket. Our theme was travel and we sent the teachers on a journey to Hawaii (smoothies), France (croissants for breakfast), Mexico (luncheon with Mexican food), Africa (safari of animal crackers), and Italy (pizza party). I think the teachers loved each and every day!

Challenges!

Just for fun, during National Scrapbooking Month, I thought I'd try posting some challenges to see if anyone wanted to play along! If you make a card or page, be sure to take a picture and email it to me, so I can see what great work you did. Now, of course, I'd LOVE it if you used only Stampin' Up! supplies, but I understand there are other products out there. :)

Week of May 3: Color Challenge: Use a combination of blue and yellow. This can be any shades of blues (Bashful, Brocade, Ballet, Brilliant, etc...) and yellows (Summer Sun, So Saffron, Barely Banana, etc...). These are my two favorite colors, so I'm sure these cards and pages will be beautiful!

Week of May 10: Design Challenge: Scallops are trendy and IN right now! Use scallops somewhere in your design...punches, dies, squares, circles, borders...whatever works!

Week of May 17: Image Challenge: Butterflies are fun! Plan to play along and stamp or die cut a butterfly to place somewhere on your card or page. Stampin' Up! has lots of butterfly images to choose from.

Week of May 24: Sentiment Challenge (for Cards): This is an easy one! Make a birthday card!!
Photo Challenge (for Pages): Make your focal point with a 5" by 7" photo and add extra photos or embellishments around it. This is one of my favorite scrapbooking techniques.

Have fun playing along!

Holiday Blitz 6" by 6" Scrapbook Pages

Holiday Blitz is such a versatile set! There are images for EVERY occasion in this set. I previously used it to make a variety of cards, now I'm using it for scrapbook pages. These 6" by 6" pages cover all sorts of holidays and would be perfect for a small year long memory book. These pages are adorable by themselves or would work great layered onto larger pages. The class is $20 and will be on Thursday, May 13 at 10 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. Let me know if you need to make more than one set. Please RSVP by Tuesday, May 11.

Happy Bday 2U 6" by 6" Scrapbook Class

Hey Scrapbook Friends! This one's for you! Here are two samples of a 6" by 6" brag book that's all about birthdays! This class will run at the same time as the All About Birthdays card class on May 19--you can do both, if you want! Cost is $20. Please let me know as soon as possible if you can attend. I need to order the kits! These 6" by 6" pages make great brag books for a single event or layer onto a 12" by 12" spread for an easy focal point.

Some of the colors (Brocade Blue and Crushed Curry) in this book are retiring soon so I'm pretty sure this fun kit won't be available in the new catalog. Please let me know if you'd like to attend.

All About Birthdays Samples--Finally!

I'm sorry it has taken me so long to get these birthday card class samples done. Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week and I'll begin posting what I've been working on...I think you'll understand why the birthday class took so long to get done!

The All About Birthdays class is on Wednesday, May 19 (morning or evening) and I have to move up the RSVP date to ASAP because I have to order supplies. Some of the cards are done with the Happy Bday 2U Simply Scrappin' kit. I realized that with the major color renovation I wasn't going to be able to use this kit after July, so I thought I better get the class done! The other cards that are part of this class are mini (3 by 3) cards using Bitty Birthday and then there are six fun tags that use Party Hearty and Crazy for Cupcakes. It's a great class to get stocked up on birthday necessities! Cost is $20. Please let me know ASAP if you can attend.

Office Accessories Class--Monday

The fun and trendy office supplies class is Monday, and I still have supplies available for a few more people. Call me or email ASAP if you'd like to attend. It's all this plus extra folders for $30. It would be a great gift or a way to totally redo your desk. I know whenever I get new office supplies it MAKES me want to organize!

Fox and Friends!

It's the last few weeks of the Occasions Mini! Don't miss this fun stamp set with all the cute animals. I got it because Ellen really liked it (yes, my girls stamp with me lots of the time!), but I have really come to love these sweet images too. This set is on page 31 of the mini and is available in wood ($18.95) or clear
$14.95).

Awash with Flowers--New Set! Plus 20% off offer!

Two-Step into Spring Promotion --
email me for a pdf of the Awash with Flowers full set of images

Promotion Dates: April 1-30, 2010
Promotion Details




Hostesses:



Host a $350 workshop and receive the brand-new Two-Step Awash with Flowers stamp set FREE!




Customers:



Two-Step into spring with a sneak peek from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog! Be the first to add the Awash with Flowers stamp set to your collection.




Plus, purchase spring-themed Two-Step Stampin' sets at 20 percent off the retail price--no additional purchase necessary!




Qualifying stamp sets are listed below:




Item Page Description Discount Price
113824 94 Greenhouse Garden $20.76
113734 98 Fifth Avenue Floral $19.96
111578 101 Flower Fancy $29.56
113258 112 Trendy Trees $14.36

Things to Remember:
The Awash with Flowers stamp set is a sneak peek from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog and will not be available again until the release of the new Idea Book & Catalog.

Order deadlines:
Online Ordering: Friday, April 30, 2010; 11:50 PM (MT)

Hostess Promotion:

• You must place your order on a workshop, customer, or demonstrator order to qualify. Online orders are not eligible for this part of the promotion.



• There is a limit of one free Awash with Flowers stamp set per workshop; the reward is for reaching the $350 workshop level, and is not incremental.



• Qualifying hostesses may choose either the wood-mount or clear-mount set. Please note: Clear-mount blocks are not included with the clear-mount set (blocks C and H are recommended this set).

Customer Promotion:

• You may place your order on any order type (customer, demonstrator, workshop, or online).



• There are no limits, and there is no minimum purchase to qualify for the 20 percent off.



• The 20 percent off discount does not apply to the Awash with Flowers stamp set.

Color Renovation!

I have EXCITING news! Stampin' Up! is undergoing a Color Renovation! I'm so excited about the new color palette! It is fresh, vibrant, and fun! All of this will take effect in the new catalog that goes into effect on July 1. Believe me, I can't wait! In the meantime, here's what I know:



5 NEW Core Colors: Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, and Marina Mist.



5 NEW In Colors: Blushing Bride, Peach Parfait, Concord Crush, Pear Pizzaz, Poppy Parade

10 RETURNING In Colors: Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, River Rock, Soft Suede, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, and Wild Wasabi

31 RETIRING Current Core Colors: Pink Passion, Pixie Pink, Pale Plum, Orchid Opulence, Lovely Lilac, Lavender Lace, Almost Amethyst, Bordering Blue, Brocade Blue, Ballet Blue, Brilliant Blue, Taken with Teal, Glorious Green, Handsome Hunter, Sage Shadow, Mellow Moss, Green Galore, Gable Green, Barely Banana, Yoyo Yellow, Summer Sun, Apricot Appeal, Only Orange, Really Rust, Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Blush Blossom, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, and Going Gray.

Be sure to stock up on any of your favorite color supplies during the next few months. All products (paper, card stock, markers, pastels, inks, etc...) in these retiring colors will be gone at the end of June.

Be sure to see the sidebar post at the top of my blog for a look at the New Color Collections!

Trendy Trees on Sale!

Back in the Fall and then again in late January I had a class where the stamp set Trendy Trees was included in the class fee. So many people loved that class. If you missed the class, but still like the stamp set, now is the time to buy it! Stampin' Up! is offering 4 "spring" stamp sets for 20% off and Trendy Trees is one of them! The sale price of Trendy Trees is $14.36. The card on the right is a sample of Trendy Trees.

These cards were made as a "thank you" to the ladies that attended the January class. That date ended up being an event at the girls' school so everyone came early and stamped fast. As a "thanks" for the hassle, I made them two additional cards. The one on the left uses Season of Friendship...I kept with the tree theme.

The other stamp sets that are on sale are Greenhouse Garden (p. 94) for $20.76; Fifth Avenue Floral (p.98) for $19.96; and Flower Fancy (p. 101) for $29.56.

Happy Easter!

Here are some Easter treats I made for the kids at church to celebrate after they did their puppet performance. I wrapped the small tube containers of M&Ms, put a butterfly on top of a bottle of bubbles and topped a cello bag filled with sidewalk chalk. I put all that in the Fancy Favor Box that had been rolled with Easter eggs. The box went in a larger cello bag and I tied the bags with different colored ribbons. It all looked very cute and festive! I love to do party favors...stay tuned for a later post where I'll show the latest favors I made for a baseball party!

Bailey's Birthday!

Bailey's birthday party was so much fun! Nikki made the cutest cupcake cake and popcorn in Bailey's favorite colors. Of course, we had to make the toppers for the party favors to match. Green Galore and Pink Passion together are so bold and bright for a little girl party! If you'd like party planning made easy, feel free to contact us! Tell us a theme and we'll get to work. Nikki does beautiful cakes and I can make invitations, thank you notes, memory pages, and party favors to coordinate.

A New Craft for the Family?

So, this weekend Laura decided she wanted to learn to crochet. She was all excited and couldn't wait to get to the store to purchase the supplies. I agreed to buy yarn and a hook (needle, stick--honestly, I don't even know what you call the "tools"). I had told her I didn't know how to crochet nor did I want to learn a new craft. She promised that she knew everything there was to know...she had "googled" it. Well, it turns out crocheting was a little harder than it looked on the web. After a huge fit from Laura, Chris agreed to try...he's much better at looking at a diagram and following it than I am. Well, it turns out Chris is a mighty fine crochet-er. Yep, he's surrendered his man card and has crocheted until his hand hurts. Laura's still learning, and I'm still sticking only to stamping and paper crafts! You all know I have a REALLY awesome husband! :)